On August 11th, I will be attending my 30th year high school reunion. Yes, I graduated high school in 1977. In 1977, Jimmy Carter was sworn in as President, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors was the leading selling album, and among many other events, on August 16th, Elvis Presley passed away.

As I look back over the past thirty years, there is no way I could ever have imagined that thirty years from my graduation in Evanston, Illinois, I would be a Unitarian Universalist Ministerial Intern in Escondido, California.

It is truly amazing to me where our journeys can lead us. On a daily basis we all make a wide variety of choices; should I check my email, should I have that extra piece of cake, should I look for a new job, should I say I’m sorry to my spouse, choices that take our life in one direction or another. In fact, if I have made just five decisions a day that ever-so-slightly or more-than-slightly changed the direction of my life since 1977, I would have made approximately 52,925 decisions.

Through our lives, we all have made really good decisions and a substantial amount of not-so-good ones, because after all, we are human and that is the joy and challenge of our lives. But whatever those choices have been, they are the decisions that have brought all of us here together and participating in this vibrant and growing community.

Thirty years ago I would never have guessed that all those day-to-day choices would have led me here. It is pleasure to tell you how grateful I am that they have. I wish you peace with where your journey has led you. As I said in my last sermon, choices do matter. So, as you reflect and as you consider decisions that may not always seem perfect or obvious, remember (as it has been said many times before,) it is about the journey. As long as we are on it, we will continue to have plenty of chances to decide. One last thing, (so we don’t take it all so seriously), remember the famous words of Yogi Berra, “When you get to the fork in the road, take it.”

Have a great rest of the summer.

David

I really enjoyed working Chalice’s booth at the Rancho Bernardo Street Fair. Aside from having the pleasure of the company of some of the members of this congregation, and aside from the delicious bratwurst I indulged in from one of the food booths, it was the first time I worked a booth to support something that was so deeply meaningful for me. I have worked a lot of booths at fairs or festivals. I have worked booths for nonprofit organizations and for profit organizations. I have attempted to sell products or services and/or raise money or awareness for my organization. But after talking to a couple of people who came to the booth for information, I realized it was the first time I was not working that booth at all for me.

Sure, I hope that the membership of Chalice grows, but one of the things that I really understood after talking to some of these people was that we were at this fair in part for them. We were there so more people would be able to learn about something for which they have been searching. We were there so more people would learn about a community of seekers who can provide a tolerant, loving, compassionate and justice’ seeking vision to match their vision of the world.

I have been to other fairs where people from various religious institutions or organizations were trying to induce people to hear their message. On my way to the fair I, too, thought, “Oh, I am not so sure this is what I want to do.” I, too, have been challenged by that type of engagement in the past. But aside from the fact that it was something that I believed in, which obviously was going to have an effect on my feelings, the message being delivered at this booth was about inclusiveness not exclusiveness. I was asked about how welcoming we were and I was so happy to have a clear and resounding answer to that question. Personally, as a UU with a strong belief in our message, I appreciate all those who worked the booth and attended the fair, and I am grateful that I was so confident in communicating the welcoming message of Chalice.

Peace,

David

I really enjoyed working Chalice’s booth at the Rancho Bernardo Street Fair. Aside from having the pleasure of the company of some of the members of this congregation, and aside from the delicious bratwurst I indulged in from one of the food booths, it was the first time I worked a booth to support something that was so deeply meaningful for me.  I have worked a lot of booths at fairs or festivals.  I have worked booths for nonprofit organizations and for profit organizations.  I have attempted to sell products or services and/or raise money or awareness for my organization.  But after talking to a couple of people who came to the booth for information, I realized it was the first time I was not working that booth at all for me. 

Sure, I hope that the membership of Chalice grows, but one of the things that I really understood after talking to some of these people was that we were at this fair in part for them.  We were there so more people would be able to learn about something for which they have been searching.  We were there so more people would learn about a community of seekers who can provide a tolerant, loving, compassionate and justice’ seeking vision to match their vision of the world.

I have been to other fairs where people from various religious institutions or organizations were trying to induce people to hear their message.  On my way to the fair I, too, thought, “Oh, I am not so sure this is what I want to do.”  I, too, have been challenged by that type of engagement in the past.  But aside from the fact that it was something that I believed in, which obviously was going to have an effect on my feelings, the message being delivered at this booth was about inclusiveness not exclusiveness.  I was asked about how welcoming we were and I was so happy to have a clear and resounding answer to that question. 

Personally, as a UU with a strong belief in our message, I appreciate all those who worked the booth and attended the fair, and I am grateful that I was so confident in communicating the welcoming message of Chalice.       

Peace,               

David  

“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar…”I-I hardly know, Sir, just at present,” Alice replied rather shyly, “at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”  Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland 

Change is not easy.  In the many years that I worked for and consulted with organizations in the for-profit and nonprofit world, I found that change management was the most difficult of all management processes. But there are many more changes than just those affecting organizations that decide on new or different business directions. Change can come in the form of a new baby, entering and changing the lives of the parents forever. Change can come in a new job or leaving a job that you have had for many years. Change may show up in the appearance of sudden riches or sudden expenses. And of course, change may, and inevitably will, come to all of us in the loss of friends and loved ones. A big part of change, however, is in how we react, how we feel, how we process and ultimately what we do in a world where change is a constant.

This congregation has experienced some significant changes lately. These changes have been rather sudden and potentially unsettling.  But a strong sign of a healthy, supportive and loving congregation is dealing with these wrinkles in the journey with love, compassion, understanding and a healthy dose of grace.   Also, it is significant to mark the changes and yet lovingly continue the spiritual and community-centered work of the congregation. 

This congregation has shown its best side during the last couple of months. Events and activities have been beautifully implemented, committees are continuing their work and Chalice has done much to support those in need.

As we move into the summer months, another change will occur when we return to one service on July 1^st at 10:30 am.  We have an exciting worship schedule shaping up and many wonderful activities including the joyous celebration of Tom and Margo’s wedding.  It is an honor and a privilege to be able to share this time with you and I look forward to joining you this summer on our wondrous journey.

Peace,  

David